Lilly Pulitzer’s Palm Beach Travel Guide!

November 12, 2013

“Season” in South Florida is just around the corner, and the Lilly Pulitzer blog “The Juice Stand” has compiled a FABULOUS Palm Beach travel guide. This guide is so fun and appropriate, as Lilly’s name is synonymous with the Palm Beach lifestyle, and her clothing has served as the unofficial Palm Beach dress code for the past 60+ years.

With expressed permission, I am delighted to reprint this incredible Palm Beach travel guide… So now go stuff your suitcase full of Lilly Pulitzer clothing and Jack Rogers flip flops, and you are ready to winter in Palm Beach!

Worth Ave: Four blocks of upscale shopping?!? You could spend days in the island’s luxurious shopping district that stretches from Lake Worth to the Atlantic Ocean. We insist that you get lost in the vias, the small alleyways peeking off of the main avenue that make Worth Ave unique. Each more special than the next… you’ll keep finding a new favorite courtyard or boutique. We’re biased to Via Mizner where Lilly’s first shop was in 1962. Other quick hits: The Starbucks behind Saks Fifth Avenue, Sequin & Vivi’s Stationery off Via Parigi.

Bike Ride: Our favorite way to explore Palm Beach. Bike along the manicured South Ocean Blvd for a glimpse at the mansions of Palm Beach. Warning: you’ll be tempted to peek behind the hedges. Lake Trail and Royal Palm Way are scenic rides, too. Don’t forget to pedal past the Flagler Museum aka Whitehall built by Henry Flagler, the founder of Palm Beach.Beach: If you don’t have access to one of the clubs on the island, head to the localized North End Beaches. Make sure to walk out on the jetty- it’s b.e.a.utiful.

West Palm Beach Green Market:Not technically on the island but just a few minutes over the Intercoastal Waterway to West Palm Beach, lies more than 90 vendors featuring the freshest produce, flowers, baked goods, teas and more each Saturday from 9AM to 1 PM. Stop by the apple cider donut stand and indulge.

Polo: Ponies, picnics and parties – yes, please. From January to April, it’s officially Polo Season at the Palm Beach International Polo Club. Make sure to join in on the brunch and match festivities on Sundays and visit the club’s Mallet Grille for the official After Party.

Surfside Diner: Located where Lilly’s favorite diner, Hamburger Heaven (now located in WPB), used to be, it’s the new favorite casual spot for Palm Beach locals. Perfect for any breakfast + lunch but we recommend breakfast! Order a fluffy & filling omelet, leave room for a delicious pastry, and enjoy the coffee and conversations around you. It’s the place to get the scoop from the night before.

Testas: Late night dancing at Cucina? Pop on your biggest sunglasses and head to Testas for Sunday brunch. Dine outdoors, enjoy fresh juice (add bubbles as needed), and dive into your pancakes. Keep your shades on and watch the fabulous fashion and gorgeous cars go by.

Pizza Al Fresco: After a day of shopping on Worth and wandering the vias, head back through Via Mizner and find yourself at Pizza Al Fresco. This outdoor dining spot is known for thin crust pizza (YUM), great wine, and the perfect casual chic ambience. Fun fact – you’ll be dining by the grave of Johnnie Brown. Sound morbid? NO! It’s a fun story – Johnnie Brown was the famous architect Addison Mizner’s pet monkey and he remains a permanent resident of Palm Beach.

Ta-boo: Before you head to your dinner reservation make sure to pop into Taboo for happy hour. Come for the specials, stay for the friendly bartenders (full of Palm Beach dish) and fabulous people watching. The bags, the jewelry, the tans. We just love it all.

Buccan: The new hot spot in town. We know others have written about it and we had to give our take. Enjoy tasty small plates that are meant to be shared and sip on the sangria. Want to head back for another visit? You must also try Imoto at Buccan next door for stellar sushi and the BEST edamame. And if you completely fell in love with the desserts at Buccan, you can also order them at Imoto.

Renato’s: For old world Italian food and the most handsome waiters around, head to Renato’s which is tucked away in Via Mizner. This is a must-visit restaurant for everyone in town and it doesn’t let you down. A huge wine list, bruschetta that begs for second helpings, and the best pasta around. It’s almost like being transported to Italy for the night…and we adore romance languages.

Cucina Dell Arte: Dinner is done and it’s time to dance away the calories. Head to Cucina, the local favorite spot to be seen as the evening winds into the wee hours. Tip: If you’re a Bachelorette Party, they make the “bride to be” dance on the bar in an 80s wedding dress.

The Breakers: Palm Beach’s historic oceanfront resort opened by Henry Flagler in 1896… Once You Stay, You’ll Understand. The Italian-Renaissance Resort has everything everyone in your family needs. Four pools and five whirlpool spas, 36 holes championship golf, the Kids Club, half-mile of private beach, a luxury oceanfront spa, the list of amenities could go on and on. Make sure to grab a banana daiquiri (or three) and truffle fries at one of the pool bars or visit The Seafood Bar where the bar is literally an aquarium. Also, the hotel’s new ultra-chic HMF will have you convinced Gatsby himself will walk in at any moment.

The Brazilian Court Hotel: A boutique luxury hotel right off Worth Avenue…. think apartment styled rooms with hotel services. Although you won’t want to leave your room, make sure to lounge at the newly renovated pool. Café Boulud is also a MUST for dinner. This isn’t the spot to skip dessert… we recommend the creme brulee. Don’t you know the rule? Calories don’t count on vacation.

The Colony: Stay at this hotel to truly experience the classic charm of Palm Beach. Quite literally on Worth Avenue, you’ll never want to leave the hotel’s pool area. Warning: you’re going to be after the lounge furniture… it’s pink and green.

Our newest Resort Collection was made for jet setting to, in, and around Palm Beach. Here’s the long and short of it all – we have you covered with the chicest tunics, caftans, and flowy maxis of the season. Our new lace is even called The Breakers Lace. Shop our favorite styles below… all you need to add is a cocktail & sunset. (Don’t forget to invite us xx).

I love polo! Just the sound of the mallet hitting the ball, and the horses running down the field! Do you ever go? Our season in Santa Barbara is May-Aug. The photos are great. They made me want to go on vacation!Sharon